phrase

• A prize or goal that someone strives for.

  More example sentences

  • ‘Willa went for the brass ring, joining the firm at a whopping salary’
  • ‘And one would think that with sound geologic reasoning, a willingness to work, and the periodic influx of new money, someone smaller and leaner would periodically slip a finger through the brass ring of success.’
  • ‘But if its scrabble for identity lacks inspiration, its glossy finish sparkles enough to suggest that the brass ring of mainstream success isn't entirely out of this young band's reach.’
  • ‘After all, the Chicks haven't exactly hidden the fact that they went for the brass ring, and unashamedly enjoy their success.’
  • ‘Take some time today to experience a blissful moment and pay attention to how your heart feels - that's the brass ring, the thing that makes everything worthwhile, so savor it and look for lots of ways to bring more of it into your life.’
  • ‘I recognize that there's plenty of chick lit that turns the wedding/husband/baby into the brass ring that every woman's grasping for, but my books don't really fit that paradigm.’
  • ‘And while women may long for the brass ring that men have been grasping at for years, many of them are discovering that this is indeed a hollow and shallow pursuit that is not nearly as rewarding as motherhood.’
  • ‘The world grew still as we kept company with this serene, focused creature and for just a few minutes I knew that detached awareness, the brass ring of mediation that so often eludes my efforts.’
  • ‘With all this caution and attention focused on our ‘elected’ officials, we have a moment where we can grasp the brass ring of self-government.’
  • ‘It's time to go for the gold or make a grab for the brass ring (although you'd prefer to exchange it for a nice platinum band with a few tasteful diamonds, thank you).’
  • ‘Ten years ago I was still chasing the brass ring, waiting for my 16th platinum record to happen.’
  • ‘They're too close to grabbing the brass ring to jump off the merry-go-round.’
  • ‘Lydia was after the brass ring, and now that she has the brass ring what can she do with it?’
  • ‘Another part of the answer is that sometimes we don't go for the brass ring because we compare our qualifications to an ideal standard, instead of to other available candidates.’
  • ‘There are particular numbers that indicate which championship teams obliterated all contenders and which ones barely snatched the brass ring from their rivals.’
  • ‘If you're going to go for the brass ring, go all out.’
  • ‘And now, despite a painful history and against all reason, I am once more reaching for the brass ring of a relationship that works.’
  • ‘Since then, four senators did win presidential nominations, but in each case the brass ring ultimately eluded them.’
  • ‘Then again, what if they had sold their souls for the brass ring?’
  • ‘Most musicians see Toronto, New York, Paris or London as the brass ring, the point of departure for the proverbial big time.’
  • ‘Now, at the age of 31, he feels time is running out, so he's reaching one more time for the brass ring.’

  Origin

  With reference to the reward of a free ride given on a merry-go-round to the person hooking a brass ring suspended over the horses.